Happy Anniversary
It’s my one year anniversary! Yep I’ve been in Japan for a year now! Time flies, right!? I’ve had my share of lifetime experiences (and then some!), Me and my old roommate Ivan used to joke about our Japan experience during the NOVA crisis. We came to Japan to explore a new country and meet new people and discover a new language and culture. But ended up getting more then we had bargained for.
A Recap
This including, dealing with the collapse of a major company. Which in turn led to months of not receiving wages and ultimately the loss of our jobs by the new year. We also faced eviction from our apartment (on Christmas mind you!). It seemed like we had all the struggles, but I have to say we were better of then most people.
Despite all the happenings, I have to say we kept an optimistic outlook on the whole thing. Even laughed! That’s the one thing I like about Ivan. Me and him are very optimistic and don’t worry so much. Sh*t happens and you deal with it as it comes.
By January I had only received one full pay check (August’s pay) and was living off savings from my Canadian account. I was moved into another NOVA apartment while the company was restructuring under new management. Though I was working for the new NOVA again and soon to receive wages… I by this time had worked two other jobs (one as an ALT and the other as a Pocket tissue hander-outer.). I was also dealing with trying to get my lost wages back from the Japanese government, which I did receive in time.
February led to another eviction by neo NOVA’s restructuring, so I decided to move into my own place in Kawaguchi which was a struggle on its on. I came back to the neo NOVA on a temporary basis as I was waiting for my new ALT job to start up in April. I had faced discrimination from the temporary ALT job I took before because they preferred to have a woman and while looking for an apartment I faced discrimination because I was ‘Caucasian’. But despite all that, I’ve learned and experienced a lot and came through and overcame the struggles.
The Present
Now I’m an ALT in Koshigaya. It’s been quite a ride so far, but I’m happy for the stability, If I’ve learned anything, it is that I hold stability in life as a priority, I wouldn’t change my experience. It made me a stronger person. I love how things turned out for the most part. Life goes on and we have to move along with it. I know it’s corny but, “when life gives you lemons make lemonade.” I can list a whole lord-ful of corny sayings that would apply to this blog. But as I look back it’s been a year of ups & downs, but none-the-less I’m happy to have come through it. Anyways Happy Anniversary to me (and Heather we came on the same plane to Japan). We survived where some couldn’t in our position. I’m sure she has a story too. Kudos!
Anyways getting ready for Osaka… see ya all in 5 days!
































